Universal coupling means for container handling

ABSTRACT

A universal coupling device in a cargo container spreader which is operable to engage in rigid locked relation a plurality of types of containers by means of a manipulatable variety of toplifting coupling or latching mechanisms, including engaging container types having a variety of corner casting designs each of which requires a differently configured coupling. The couplings are so constructed that they are actuatable remotely by an operator to different positions in relation to one another as required to correctly engage the different container corner coupling receptacle types.

United States Patent 1191 Goyarts 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 UNIVERSAL COUPLINGMEANS FOR CONTAINER HANDLING [75] Inventor: Wynand M. J. M. Goyarts,Battle Creek, Mich.

[731 Assignee: Clark Equipment Company,

Buchanan, Mich.

22 Filed: Sept. 13,1971

21 Appl. No.: 179,739

[52] U.S. Cl 294/67 R, 294/67 DA, 294/81 SF [51] Int. Cl. B66c 1/10 [58]Field of Search 294/67 R, 67 DA,

294/67 BB, 81 SF; 105/366 R; 214/390, 392, 394, 396; 248/361 R; 24/211R, 211 K [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,556,580 1/1971Bridge 294/81 SF 3,085,700 4/1963 OSullivan 294/67 DA X l/l97l 4/1963Lamcr et a1 294/67 R Russell et al 294/67 DA Primary ExaminerEvon C.Blunk Assistant ExaminerJohnny D. Cherry Att0rneyl(enneth C. Witt et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A universal coupling device in a cargo container spreaderwhich is operable to engage in rigid locked relation a plurality oftypes of containers by means of a manipulatable variety of top-liftingcoupling or latching mechanisms, including engaging container typeshaving a variety of corner casting designs each of which requires adifferently configured coupling. The couplings are so constructed thatthey are actuatable remotely by an operator to different positions inrelation to one another as required to correctly engage the differentcontainer corner coupling receptacle types.

13 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDUBI 2 I973 SHEET 10F 5 INVENTORWYNAND M. J. M. GOYARTS 7 [M ATTORNEY PATENTEU BUY 2 73 SHEET 2 BF 5FIG. 9

FIG. 7

INVENTOR WYNAND M. J. M. GOYARTS ATTOR NEY PATENIEU 2 5 SHEET 4 BF 5flllffrllflflj l T I @ON O N Wmm INVENTOR WYNAND M. J. M. GOYARTSATTORNEY PATENTED 2 SHEET 5 OF 5 FIG. I0

FIG.

INVENTOR WYNAND M. J. M. GOYARTS ATTORNEY UNIVERSAL COUPLING MEANS FORCONTAINER HANDLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of art to whichthe invention pertains includes container handling devices.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of handlingexpeditiously and with a minimum amount of equipment a variety of typesand sizes of cargocontainers which, as a complex of containers andcontainer handling equipment in the transportation industry, has come tobe known as containerization. This term embraces the concept oftransporting freight packed in large crane or vehicle portablecontainers from the shippers dock to the consignees dock by any type ofcarrier, or by different carriers, without intermediate opening of thecontainers or any handling of the goods in less than container loadquantities.

A desirable pick-up arrangement for a container resides in cooperatingconstruction of a container in a hoist device therefor (known as aspreader) which enables coupling of the container and the spreader atthe extreme upper corners of the container. The design ofcargo-containers has rapidly assumed the type which is of rectangularconfiguration in three perpendicular planes and comprises four topcorner casting receptacles or fixtures at the corners of the uppersurface capable of receiving coupling hooks, latches, or any suchconnecting means and is adapted to project downwardly from the fourcorners of a spreader.

Differences in container length have necessitated either the use ofspreaders of different sizes or an expansible spreader capable ofadjustment to various lengths for use with straddle carrier typevehicles or crane equipment capable of engaging and transporting bymeans of the spreader such cargo-containers, e.g., at freight terminals,at which capability is desird for receiving all types of containers fordelivery or forwarding further along respective routes of shipment.Differences in container lengths have been adopted to accommodateinevitable differences in the size of shipments, the size of carriers,and other factors in order to contribute flexibility and economy to thehandling of freight particularly in view of standardization of theheight and width of all such containers. Various length containers aremanufactured by different manufacturers which have adopted independentand non-standard corner receptacle constructions resulting in certaindisadvantages of present spreader designs. To illustrate, containers of20, 30 and 40 feet in length are made by one manufacturer which hasadopted a container corner receptacle design of a first type, containersof 24 feet are made by a second manufacturer which has adopted asignificantly different corner receptacle design, and containers of 35feet are made by a third manufacturer having still a third differentcorner receptacle design.

Not only do the various length containers necessitate either a pluralityof spreaders adapted to handle each different length container, orlongitudinally adjustable spreaders, but each spreader of onemanufacturers group requires presently a different top-lift couplingdesign adapted particularly for use with one or another of the variouscontainer corner receptacle designs. The result has been in part eitherto restrict a given containerization operation to using containers onlyof a particular manufacturer, or, in the event containers of more thanone manufacturer are handled using various corner receptacle types, theproliferation of spreader equipment having all the necessary types oftop-lift coupling devices embodied therein.

It will be appreciated, of course, that different containers of anysingle length may embody corner receptacles of various designs suitablefor use with a complementary fixed length spreader having amanipulatable top-lift coupling mechanism, such as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 3,344,940, capable of coupling with complementary corner receptacleconfigurations of such single length containers. Likewise, it is usablewith either multiple adaptortype spreader units utilizing master andslave spreaders such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,258, or inlongitudinally adjustable single spreader assemblies such as shown inUS. Pat. No. 3,558,176, or as is available from the assignee of thepresent application under its Part No. 2302039.

SUMMARY My invention comprises a universal coupling device adaptedespecially for use with top-lift spreaders of any type, viz., fixed,adjustable or adaptor types, for engaging two or more different types ofcorner casting receptacles of containers in any containerization systemwherein the spreader and the containers may be engaged, transported anddeposited by any one of a variety of devices, including van carriervehicles and cranes. The designs of container corner receptacles mayvary widely, thereby necessitating correlatd variations in my universalcoupling design, the essence of which is in concept of providingcoupling means capable of locking engagment with coupling receptacleshaving various configurations. A main object of the invention istherefore to provide spreader means having a single integrated couplingdevice at each corner engageable with any one of a variety ofconfigurations of container corner coupling receptacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevated rear quarterperspective view of a van carrier vehicle using my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top portion of a container utilizingcorner coupling receptacles of one exemplary design;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of one corner of a containerutilizing a corner coupling receptacle of a second exemplary design;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but utilizes a corner coupling receptacleof a third esemplary design;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cut-away view in side elevation of one of thetransverse beam ends of the spreader which houses my invention,including a cut-away schematized corner section of the container withwhich my coupling device is adapted to operate and having superimposedin the container corner the three different coupling receptacleconfigurations of FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5, but does not include the threesuperimposed coupling receptacles;

FIG. 7 is a left end view of FIG. 5; I

FIG. 8 is a section taken along line 88 of FIG. 5, but does not includethe three superimposed coupling devices;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 5showing the relationship of the coupling hooks of the invention to asuperimposed showing of the three exemplary container corner receptacledesigns in non-engaged condition;

FIG. is a perspective view of the end portion of one of the spreaderbeams which houses the coupling device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the actuatable couplng books which areadapted to be mounted in the beam housing portion of FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are partial sectional views showing the hook portions ofthe coupling device in two different actuated positions for engagingupon elevation of the spreader the container corner receptacles of FIGS.2 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to thedrawings, a straddle type van carrier is illustrated generally atnumeral 10 having an open bay formed between a pair of longitudinallyextending parallel side frame constructions l2 and 14 secured togetherat the forward ends by a transverse frame from which is suitablysupported a rearwardly cantilevered operators platform 6 having anoperator's station 18 and an engine and a transmission compartment 20located thereon, the power train components being suitably connected toa pair of steeringdriving rear wheels 22 through a differential drivechain and sprocket mechanism, the latter being located in a pair ofvertical housings 24. Additional pairs of dirigible wheels 26 and 28 aremounted upon the opposite side frames in tandem relationship.

Two pairs of longitudinally spaced hydraulic cylinder and telescopicupright assemblies 50 and 52 are mounted in opposite end portions of theU-shaped bay formed by the side and end frame assemblies of the vehicle,and are connected in pairs as shown to the opposite ends of each of apair of transversely extending lifting arches 54 and56 located inopposite end portions of the vehicle frame for vertical movement withthe hydraulic cylinder and upright assemblies 50 and 52. A spreaderframe shown generally at numeral 58 is suspended in the U-shaped vehicleframe from lifting arches 54 and 56 by suitable chain and sprocketmechanism which is located at each assembly 50 and 52 and is connectedto respective ones of a pair of longitudinally spaced fixed transversebeams 60 and 62 for elevating the spreader frame from a ground levelposition to substantially the maximum design elevation of the liftingarches at a 2:1 ratio in relation to the lifting arches. A portion ofthe pair of rear lifting chains is shown at 64.

An extensible portion of the spreader is represented schematically bythree illustrated longitudinally spaced positions of opposite transversebeam ends 66 and 68, beam end 66 being mounted from the ends of a pairof longitudinal transversely spaced extensible: support members 70 andbeam ends 68 being mounted from a single central extensible longitudinalsupport member 72. Support members 70 and 72 are adapted to be suitablysupported from carriages mounted within the fixed main portion of thespreader 60, 62, 74, and operator controlled motor driven sprocket andchain means, not shown, may be located within the spreader forselectively driving the transverse beam ends 66 and 68 to any selectedlongitudinal extension position.

The construction of the van carrier 10 and extensible spreader 58 arenot a part of this invention, except as may be in functional combinationwith the universal coupling device to be described below, and so neednot be described in further detail herein. The assignee of thisapplication manufactures various models of such vehicles, and one suchmodel is disclosed in greater detail in above referred to US. Pat. No.3,344,940. The extensible spreader frame may be as constructed pursuantto assignees Part No. 2302039, also referred to above.

The universal coupling device of the present invention is mounted ineach corner section of the spreader at numeral 76 for engaging in awell-known top-lift relationship upper corner coupling receptacles of acontainer, such as shown partially at numeral 80, for lifting thecontainer in the open U-shaped bay of the vehicle and transporting thesame to any desired location.

Three different container constructions are represented by FIGS. 2, 3and 4, each embodying a different type top corner coupling receptacle asillustrated. Any spreader usable for engaging any such cntainer, must,of course, utilize a coupling device which is particularly designed toengage with the corner receptacle type which is to be engaged totransport the container in question. These exemplary corner receptacledesigns, which as mentioned above are currently used by differentcontainer manufacturers, are identified generally by numerals 82, 84 and86. Each of the container corners comprise in essence open box-likereceptacles designed to receive in differing lock engaging relationship,one or both of coupling hook elements and 92 of the universal couplingassembly mounted in each beam end portion 76 (best shown in FIGS. 11, 12and 13) through variously configured apertures each in the uppersurfaces of ea corner receptacle as shown at numerals 94, 96 and 98,respectively. Aperture 94 is oblong in shape, and provides access to acompartment 100 in which the short dimension of access opening 94 formswith the upper receptacle wall opposed wall portions 102, 102 which areadapted to be engaged in a manner to be described by coupling hooks 90and 92 when elevated from the position of the hooks shown in FIG. 12.

Aperture 96 is of a rounded cross form comprising two intersectingoblong apertures, the short one of which extends in the same relativedirection as does the short side of aperture 94, and which providesaccess to an interior compartment 104 of the, container corner 84 alsoadapted to receive, as best shown in FIG. [3, coupling hooks 90 and 92which when elevated engage in lcoked relationship the opposed inwardlyextending upper wall portions 106, 106.

Aperture 98 of container corner 86 is also generally oblong in shape, inthis instance having its long dimension transverse of the container anddepressed in the top wall of the corner receptacle in that it is formedbetween two opposed inwardly and downwardly biased ramp portions 108, asshown best in FIG. 7. Aperture 98 provides access to a compartmentwithin which is formed at the outer wall an inwardly extending nose 1 12(FIG. 5) which is adapted to be engaged in locking relationship withcoupling hook 90 when it is elevated from the position shown in FIG. 5,coupling hooks 92 having been interrupted during insertion of book 90,through aperture 98 by ramp portions 108, so that only coupling hooks 90of my invention are effective to engage and lift a container havingcorner receptacles of the type shown in FIG. 4.

The structure, control and manipulation of the universal coupling devicein use with the exemplary corner receptacles of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 willnow be described.

Each of the end portions 76 of end beam 66 and 68 of the spreadercontain the coupling latch assembly and parts shown in FIGS. 5-13. Eachbeam end 76 comprises a hollow boxed-in portion 120 forming asubstantially closed compartment 122 in which is housed actuating andcontrol means for coupling hooks 90 and 92. lnteriorly of the beam endis an inner housing for the coupling latch mechanism as best shown inFIG. 10. It comprises a pair of parallel elongated plate members 124connected together at the lower longitudinal and inner end edges by atransverse plate 126 which curves upwardly as shown at the inner end,the outer ends of said parallel plates being supported from a relativelythick metal slab 128 in which is formed a T-shaped apertue 130 having athin longitudinal slot 132 extending inwardly thereof. Slab 128 issecured by three bolts 134 which extend through the side members of thebox-like beam end and through openings 136 in the slab thereby securingthe fixed inner housing assembly to the beam end. Removal of bolts 134permits the complete universal coupling mechanism and housing to beremoved from beam 120.

A double-acting hydraulic cylinder assembly 140 is pin connected atbrackets 142 centrally of housing plate 126 and is operatively connectedto coupling hook 90 by piston rod 144 which is connected at 146 to anelongated sliding block 148 having an outer nose portion 150. A pair ofvertically spaced transverse slots 152 and 154 are formed in the top andbottom edges of block 148, and a lower transverse tie-bar 156 is securedrigidly in another notched portion of block 148 and abuts at itsopposite ends a pair of spaced reinforcing bars 157 to prevent cockingof block 148 when it is actuated rectilinearly inwardly or outwardly ofthe beam end 76, as will be described. Bars 157 secure side plates 124to slab 128. A pair of slide plates 158, best shown in FIG. 8, areconnected by screws 159 in tapped openings 161 to slab 128 (FIG. Plates158 provide a smooth support surface for sliding movements of supportblocks of the coupling hooks, and form longitudinally spaced apertures160 and 162 in registry with opening 130 and slot 132, respectively.Depending downwardly from and forming a part of block member 148 is thesingle central coupling hook 90, which includes an outwardly extendingtoe portion 161 at the unsupported end of a shank 163. A transverseblock member 164 extends between housing side plates 124 and is securedthereto by a plurality of bolts 166, having secured thereto andextending inwardly and centrally therefrom a projection 168 whichextends over the outer portion of slide block 148 to prevent movementupwardly thereof in the beam end. An end cover plate 170 is secured toblock member 164 to close the end of the beam. It is flared outwardly at172 to provide space for outward movement of the nose end 150 of block148.

A switch unit 174 has a pivoted operating arm 176 which cooperates withnotch 152 of slide block 148 and functions through a light circuit, notshown, to provide the vehicle operator a visual indicator of whether thecoupling hook 90 is in a neutral of a load engaging position. as will bedescribed more fully below. The switch unit is supported from a biasedramp plate 178 which is connected to a transverse support member 180secured at its opposite ends by bolts to housing side plates 124 throughopenings 182 in the side plates and openings 184 in the support member.Member 180 also functions as a keeper preventing the inner end portionof block 148 from rising away from plate 158.

A pivoted stop member 186 is mounted in slot 132 by a pivot pin 188which extends transversely through the slab 128 (FIG. 8). It is gravityunbalanced in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 5 so thatwhen the spreader frame is not in abutment with the top of a conainerthe left end portion of stop 186 extends down through an outwardlydirected U-shaped opening 190 formed centrally in the bottom end plateportion 192 of the bottom plate of each beam end. When in such position,and with cylinder retracted, stop member 186 assumes the broken lineposition shown in FIG. 5 wherein the tip end engages notch 154 andprevents actuation of block 148 and coupling hook 90 out of a neutralposition. When the spreader engages a container the container topsurface 194 interfaces with bottom end plate 192 of each beam end whichcauses stop 186 to pivot out of notch 154 to the solid line positionindicated in FIG. 5, thereby permitting actuation of coupling hook 90.

A second hydraulic cylinder 200 is pivotally mounted above and inwardlyof cylinder 140 from brackets 202, the rod end being pivotally connectedat 204 to an actuator plate 206 having connector brackets 208 at thefour corner portions thereof from which are mounted pivoted link rods210 which are connected pivotally at outer ends to aligned brackets 212mounted from the inner edges of a pair of parallel mounted slidablesupport block members 214 integral with the coupling hook members 92which depend downwardly therefrom. FIG. 11 shows most clearly theassembly of hook elements 92 and block members 214, the latter beingsecured together at the upper edges by a connecting transverse T-shapedplate 216 having the cross member 218 thereof extending transversely tomaintain a close clearance with the beam side plates 122 (FIG. 6) inorder to prevent any longitudinal misalignment or cocking of the hook 92assembly in operation. A tubular projection 220 is secured rigidly toplate 206, is coaxial with cylinder 200, and is slidably located in asupport sleeve 222 which is in turn supported by a transverse bar 224secured to housing side plates 124.

Tubular member 220 both supports the link rod assembly and is adapted toactuate a switch device 226 by a pivoted lever arm 228 which responds tothe position of piston 200 to indicate to the operator through alighting circuit, not shown, the position longitudinally of couplinghooks 92, i.e., when the cylinder is extended the coupling hooks arelocated in a neutral nonengaging position, and when retracted are in acondition for container engagement, as will be described below.Extensions 240 and 242 of the upper plate portions of hooks 92 areadapted to contact and slide upon the upper surface of slide plates 158during operation of the coupling hooks, the same as is the bottom edgeof block member 148 of hook 90. Each hook 92 has a toe portion 241 atthe unsupported end of a shank 243 which extends in a direction oppositeto the toe portion 161 of hook 90. Switch device 226 is mounted on aplatform 230 which is located adjacent one side of sleeve 222, beingsupported by a vertical plate 232 from the support member 224. Mounteddirectly on top of switch unit 226 is a third switch unit 234 which isadapted to be operated by one upper link rod 210 which is transverselyoffset for vertical alignment with a pivoted lever arm 236 connected tounit 234 at the transverse outer side thereof. Lever 228 is connected toswitch unit 226 at the transverse inner side thereof (FIG. 6). A roller238 at the outer end of lever 236 is in continuous contact with theupper edge of the one link rod 210 and is adapted to operate the switchto indicate to the operator through the lighting circuit the lowered orraised condition of coupling hooks 92, as will be explained below.

In operation, the van carrier is maneuvered to locate within its bay acontainer to be engaged. When the vehicle and spreader are in correctaligned position to engage the container the spreader is lowered ontothe top of the container during which operation final guidance intoaligned position is aided by flared corner plate members 250. Duringthis maneuver the four corner coupling hook assemblies should be in aneutral position in which the indicator lighting circuits as controlledby switch units 174, 226 and 234 are in an of or unlit condition,whereupon the spreader frame may be lowered into abutment with the topsurface of the container in which position one or both couplingassemblies 90 and 92 have entered the respective compartments of thecorner coupling receptacles depending upon the configuration thereof asin FIGS. 2, 3 or 4. If the receptacle of FIG. 4 is to be engaged hook 90enters the compartment thereof, but hook assembly 92 is actuatedupwardly out of operative relationship to thereceptacle by virtue of theengagement thereof by ramp plates 108. Superimposition of the variousreceptacle designs as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 clarifies therelationship of the operative surface of each in relation to the hookassemblies, particularly when compared with the individual showing ofthe hook assembly ready for engagement in each individual of the threedifferent receptacles as shown in FIGS. 5 (in broken lines), 12 and 13.

In respect to FIG. 12, it will be noted that the hooks 90 and 92 havebeen actuated in opposite directions by retracting cylinder 200 from anormally extended position and extending cylinder 140 from a normallyretracted position which has moved the shanks 163 and 243 of therespective books into abutment with the adjacent surfaces of top wallportions 102 of the receptacle. In such condition block member 148 hasbeen actuated leftwardly and upper supports 214 for hook members 92rightwardly, as seen in FIG. 12, which actuates switch units 174 and 226by means of lever arms 176 and 228, respectively, which in turnindicates to the operator on the indicator light panel the actuatedcondition at each of the four corners. Following this lift cylinders 50and 52 may be energized to elevate'the spreader which engages the hookportions of each assembly 90, 92 with the bottom surfaces of the upperplate portions 102, 102, thereby suspending the container rigidly fromthe spreader for subsequent transport and deposit as desired in afreight terminal yard, or delivery to any common carrier type adapted tohandle such containers. I

The same operation is carried out in respect of a container utilizingthe corner receptacle design of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 13, it will benoted that the cylinder actuation of the hooks90 and 92 in oppositedirections effects a different separation thereof than in the case ofthe FIG. 2 receptacle since the edges of the upper wall portions 106,106, into abutment with which the hook shanks are actuated, are morewidely spaced; otherwise, the operation may be the same. Of course, thecontainers to be engaged may be of the same or different lengths, andthe length of the spreader frame is adjusted or accommodated asrequired.

In respect of the corner receptacle design of FIG. 4 it will be recalledthat ramp plates 108, I08 interfere with the entry of hooks 92 into thecompartment 110 such that upon lowering hook into compartment books 92are elevated. In fact, the entire hook assembly 92, 214 is elevated tothe broken line position shown in FIG. 5 with link arms 210 pivotingupwardly about brackets 208. The one offset link arm actuat es switchlever 236 to the broken line position thereby actuating switch unit 234and a light indicator to inform the operator of the condition of eachhook assembly 92. Proper alignment of hook assemblies 92 is maintainedduring this operation by T-plates 216, link arms 210, and by theopposite side portions of ramp plates 108 which engage the tip ends ofhooks 92.

From the above it will be observed that in the use of the receptacledesign of FIG. 4 only hooks 90 are utilized to engage and lift thecontainer upon energization of cylinders to extend hooks 90 the shortdistance outwardly illustrated in FIG. 5 to engage the nose portion 112of each such receptacle, hook assemblies 92 remaining in elevatedinoperative condition during any such operation.

Indicator lights are provided the operator on a panel board for each ofthe hooks 90 and 92 of each beam end assembly of the spreader toindicate the condition thereof in relation to any container engaged orto be engaged and irrespective of the corner receptacle design. Thus,the operator is at all times informed of the operative or inoperativerelationship between each corner of the spreader and any container. If,for example, prior to engagement the operator should mistakenly energizecylinder 140, stop member 186 prevents actuation out of a neutralposition of hook 90, and said book will not be prevented from enteringthe respective receptacle. Since cylinder 140 is fully retracted whenhook 90 is in neutral there is no special means required to prevent hookmovement in retraction.

On the other hand, when cylinder 200 is fully extended hooks 92 are in aneutral postion. Should cylinder 200 be mistakenly energized prior toengagement in a receptacle, hooks 92 will be actuated inwardly of thebeam end which will actuate the indicator light connected to switch unit226. However, hooks 92 will be prevented from entering any of thereceptacles of FIGS. 2, 3 or 4 since it will be located such thatsubsequent lowering of the spreader upon the container top will causehooks 92 to contact the upper wall of any of the corner receptacleswhich will actuate the hook assembly to the broken line position shownin FIG. 5, thereby pivoting the link arms 210 upwardly and actuatingswitch unit 234 which will signal the raised condition of the hooks tothe operator. However containers utilizing the receptacle designs ofFIGS. 2 and 3 cannot be properly engaged because of the elevatednonoperative condition of hooks 92. In that situation the indicatorlights warn the operator not to attempt to lift the container, eventhough hooks 90 may be engaged following insertion into the receptacles.

From the above-detailed description it will now be apparent to personsskilled in the art that my invention effects an important advance in theart, and that the essential concept is subject to many variations andmodifications in design in addition to the exemplary embodiments hereinas respect of the use thereof with particular corner receptacle designs,all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Theconcept of universal applicability of a single spreader unit to either asmall or wide variety of container types is, to my knowledge,essentially novel, and it i contemplated that many changes may be madein the form and arrangement of parts, including substitutions,additions, omissions and manner of operation of the parts, withoutnecessarily departing from the scope of the invention as defined in thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. Coupling means comprising a pair of hook members each having a shankextending lengthwise between a supported end and a free end and a toemember extending laterally in one direction from one shank and laterallyin the opposite direction from the other shank, said shanks being inside-by-side relation in a generally vertical plane which extendstransversely to the lateral directions of said toe members, a firstcoupling receptacle having a first configuration adapted to receive saidhook members in a first coupling relation, a second coupling receptaclehaving a second configuration adapted to receive independently said hookmembers in a second coupling relation, and means for actuating said hookmembers .in opposite directions .sueh that said shanks are actuatable atleast partially out of said side-by-side relation when located in eithersaid first or second receptacle to effect said first or second couplingrelation.

2. Coupling means as claimed in claim 1 wherein a third couplingreceptacle having a third configuration is adapted to engage said hookmembers in a third coupling relation wherein one of said hook members isrendered inoperative to engage the third coupling receptacle and theother hook member is received in the third receptacle and actuated toeffect a third coupling relation therewith.

3. In combination, a spreader having coupling means adapted forcontainer corner top-lift pick-up, first and second containers havingfirst and second coupling receptacle types adapted for successiveengagement by said coupling means, said coupling means including firstand second hook members receivable as a unit successively in each ofsaid first and second receptacle types preparatory to full couplingengagement, and means for actuating said first and second hook membersin opposed substantially rectilinear movement to a first position inwhich both hook members engage said first receptacle and to a second anddifferent position in which both hook members engage said secondreceptacle.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein said actuating means isoperator controlled, is mounted in each corner portion of the spreaderto effect opposed reciprocable straight-line movement of said first andsecond hook members when the latter are received in either said first orsecond receptacles, said hook members when in said first engagingposition being spaced one from the other a greater distance than when insaid second engaging position.

5. A spreader as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said hook members isreceivable in a third coupling receptacle type preparatory to couplingengagement and is actuatable by said actuating means to engage saidthird receptacle, said other hook member being prevented by the thirdreceptacle from operative engagement therewith while said one hookmember is received in said third receptacle.

6. A combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first and secondhook members are located in each corner section of the spreader and areguided independently in predetermined paths of movement during actuationthereof to both said first and second positions, and means responsive tomovements of each hook member for indicating to the operator the engagedor not engaged condition of the hook member in respect of each couplingreceptacle.

7. A spreader as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first hook membercomprises a single element and said second hook member comprises a pairof parallel spaced elements straddling the first element.

8. A spreader as claimed in claim 7 wherein said actuating meansincludes first and second actuators connected to said first and secondhook members, and guide members connected to each hook member andslidable in guided rectilinear movement to effect said first and secondsaid positions.

9. In combination, a spreader having coupling means adapted forcontainer top-lift pick-up, first and second containers having first andsecond coupling receptacle designs for successive engagement by saidcoupling means, said coupling means including first and second members,said first member being receivable in each of said first and secondreceptacles preparatory to coupling engagement therewith and said secondmember being receivable with said first member in one only of saidreceptacles preparatory to coupling engagement therewith, and means foractuating said first and second members to a first condition whereengaging said first receptacle and to a second condition when engagingsaid second receptacle.

10. A spreader as claimed in claim 9 wheein said actuating meansincludes privoted link means connected to the second member such thatduring engagement of the first member with said second receptacle saidsecond member is elevated to prevent coupling engagement therewith.

11. In a containerization handling system wherein containers havecoupling receptacles located in the upper corner portions thereof, aspreader having coupling means adapted for container top-lift pick-up,including first and second latch members receivable in each receptaclepreparatory to coupling engagement between the spreader and any suchcontainer, said latch members each including a shank extendinglengthwise between a supported end and the free end and a toe memberextending laterally in one direction from one shank and laterally in theopposite direction from the other shank, said latch members being in normal side-by-side relationship when not engaged, and actuating meansconnected to said latch members for actuating the latter in oppositedirections out of sideby-side relation while located in said couplingreceptacle to effect a rigid coupling relation initially upon elevationof said spreader, the support end of each latch member including meansguiding each said latch member in substantially rectilinear movementduring actuation thereof to either engage or disengage the couplingreceptacle.

the supported end of each of said latch members includes a supportmember secured to the shank and supported from the spreader, each saidsupport member being actuatable with the respective latch memberrectilinearly.

1. Coupling means comprising a pair of hook members each having a shankextending lengthwise between a supported end and a free end and a toemember extending laterally in one direction from one shank and laterallyin the opposite direction from the other shank, said shanks being inside-by-side relation in a generally vertical plane which extendstransversely to the lateral directions of said toe members, a firstcoupling receptacle having a first configuration adapted to receive saidhook members in a first coupling relation, a second coupling receptaclehaving a second configuration adapted to receive independently said hookmembers in a second coupling relation, and means for actuating said hookmembers in opposite directions such that said shanks are actuatable atleast partially out of said side-by-side relation when located in eithersaid first or second receptacle to effect said first or second couplingrelation.
 2. Coupling means as claimed in claim 1 wherein a thirdcoupling receptacle having a third configuration is adapted to engagesaid hook members in a third coupling relation wherein one of said hookmembers is rendered inoperative to engage the third coupling receptacleand the other hook member is received in the third receptacle andactuated to effect a third coupling relation therewith.
 3. Incombination, a spreader having coupling means adapted for containercorner top-lift pick-up, first and second containers having first andsecond coupling receptacle types adapted for successive engagement bysaid coupling means, said coupling means including first and second hookmembers receivable as a unit successively in each of said first andsecond receptacle types preparatory to full coupling engagement, andmeans for actuating said first and second hook members in opposedsubstantially rectilinear movement to a first position in which bothhook members engage said first receptacle and to a second and differentposition in which both hook members engage said second receptacle.
 4. Acombination as claimed in claim 3 wherein said actuating means isoperator controlled, is mounted in each corner portion of the spreaderto effect opposed reciprocable straight-line movement of said first andsecond hook members when the latter are received in either said first orsecond receptacles, said hook members when in said first engagingposition being spaced one from the other a greater distance than when insaid second engaging position.
 5. A spreader as claimed in claim 3wherein one of said hook mEmbers is receivable in a third couplingreceptacle type preparatory to coupling engagement and is actuatable bysaid actuating means to engage said third receptacle, said other hookmember being prevented by the third receptacle from operative engagementtherewith while said one hook member is received in said thirdreceptacle.
 6. A combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein said firstand second hook members are located in each corner section of thespreader and are guided independently in predetermined paths of movementduring actuation thereof to both said first and second positions, andmeans responsive to movements of each hook member for indicating to theoperator the engaged or not engaged condition of the hook member inrespect of each coupling receptacle.
 7. A spreader as claimed in claim 3wherein said first hook member comprises a single element and saidsecond hook member comprises a pair of parallel spaced elementsstraddling the first element.
 8. A spreader as claimed in claim 7wherein said actuating means includes first and second actuatorsconnected to said first and second hook members, and guide membersconnected to each hook member and slidable in guided rectilinearmovement to effect said first and second said positions.
 9. Incombination, a spreader having coupling means adapted for containertop-lift pick-up, first and second containers having first and secondcoupling receptacle designs for successive engagement by said couplingmeans, said coupling means including first and second members, saidfirst member being receivable in each of said first and secondreceptacles preparatory to coupling engagement therewith and said secondmember being receivable with said first member in one only of saidreceptacles preparatory to coupling engagement therewith, and means foractuating said first and second members to a first condition whereengaging said first receptacle and to a second condition when engagingsaid second receptacle.
 10. A spreader as claimed in claim 9 wheein saidactuating means includes privoted link means connected to the secondmember such that during engagement of the first member with said secondreceptacle said second member is elevated to prevent coupling engagementtherewith.
 11. In a containerization handling system wherein containershave coupling receptacles located in the upper corner portions thereof,a spreader having coupling means adapted for container top-lift pick-up,including first and second latch members receivable in each receptaclepreparatory to coupling engagement between the spreader and any suchcontainer, said latch members each including a shank extendinglengthwise between a supported end and the free end and a toe memberextending laterally in one direction from one shank and laterally in theopposite direction from the other shank, said latch members being innormal side-by-side relationship when not engaged, and actuating meansconnected to said latch members for actuating the latter in oppositedirections out of side-by-side relation while located in said couplingreceptacle to effect a rigid coupling relation initially upon elevationof said spreader, the support end of each latch member including meansguiding each said latch member in substantially rectilinear movementduring actuation thereof to either engage or disengage the couplingreceptacle.
 12. A spreader as claimed in claim 11 wherein a safetydevice is operable to permit actuation of one of said latch members ofeach pair thereof only when the spreader abuts the container and thelatch members are located in the respective coupling receptacles.
 13. Acoupling means as claimed in claim 11 wherein the supported end of eachof said latch members includes a support member secured to the shank andsupported from the spreader, each said support member being actuatablewith the respective latch member rectilinearly.